Quilts honor veterans of war

ROLLINSFORD ― Sunday, in the hall of the Rollinsford American Legion Post 47, Quilts of Honor caused a crowd of more than 300 people to react joyously at an almost sacred event.

Organizer Lisa Lapierre described that event: “Quilts of Honor is an international organization which honors veterans touched by war. We formed a group of over 30 volunteer quilters and gathered a list of local veterans from the Berwick/York general area so that we could do something for them.”

The local group approached the Legion Riders, an affiliate of the Rollinsford Legion, for assistance. “They were excited to assist us and here we are,”said Lapierre.

The hall was a full house of friends, relatives, families and Legionnaires.

Phil Robinson, director of the Legion Riders, greeted the attendees and directed that an empty chair be placed by the stage as a physical symbol of POW’s and MIA’s still unidentified.

Ann LePage, first lady of Maine, stated “I am more than honored to be here today, the people we are honoring have made the American life what is now.”

Marie McSwine, Region 10 coordinator for the Quilts of Valor, explained that organization started in 2003 and quilts have been made and given to over 80,000 veterans.

The quilts, all handmade, ringed the stage. As Robinson called each recipient to the stage, he gave a brief description of the years served and what each did while in the service of their country.

As this was occurring, several quilters presented a lap quilt to the veteran.

Several of the recipients were over 90 years of age, yet spryly approached the stage, giving vocal thanks to the presenters and whipping off snappy salutes.

They were from all branches of the service and served in many capacities. Said 88-year-old Marilyn Sheein Bradburn, the only woman recognized this day, “my brother joined the Navy just after WWll started and I felt I should do my part so I joined the WAVES. This is lovely, I never expected anything like this.”

A very sprightly 95-year-old Frank Hall garbed in full uniform, recalled his service.

“I spent my time in several places, training at Fort Sill Oklahoma, going to England and serving in Europe from 1942 to 1945. I went to France in the fourth wave to land on Omaha Beach on D-Day, and spent time in Europe during the Battle of the Bulge.”

As he received his quilt, he snapped a fresh salute and gave a hearty “Carry On” to the crowd, which responded with cheers.

“I’ve spent the rest of my time in North Berwick,” said Hall, an auto dealer of over 60 years.

Sante Guiliani of York is a Vietnam veteran who received his quilt from friend Mary Black Andrews. “I really appreciate this, it is a real surprise and pleasure to receive it,” said Guiliani, in attendance with his wife Eileen.

Fourteen-year-old Lily Baker of Rollinsford understood the significance of the day.

“This is a very nice event,” said the eighth-grader at Somersworth Middle School. “It is good for the community to give back to people who gave us our safety.”